Joel Embiid is the MVP, Ben Simmons is the DPOY, But Will It Be Enough?
No matter how you feel about how they got here, it’s clear that we are entering a historic new chapter of The Process. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid — the two defining draft choices of the previous regimes — have transformed their games and have carried this Sixers team to the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference heading into the All Star Break.
The former, has shifted the attention from his lack of a jump shot to his all around brilliance. Ben Simmons, who has often drawn comparisons to the likes of LeBron James and Magic Johnson due to his size and otherworldly court vision, has always been the engine of this Philadelphia offense despite his lack of shooting. This year however, Simmons has locked in and locked down on defense, flaunting the defensive versatility that landed him a 1st team all defensive selection last year. He might be the only player in the league right now who is truly capable of guarding all 5 positions. Constantly tabbed with guarding the opposing team’s best player, he has consistently answered the call with suffocating perimeter defense.
Simmons is currently 2nd in the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year rankings while the Sixers rank 2nd in team defensive rating thanks in large part to his brilliance on that end. His defense has taken pressure off other players and allowed them to settle in and focus on their roles, creating a balance and flow in the team that has not been seen in years past. The questions of what he could be with a jumper remain, but he has changed to the conversation to that of what he is now; the best defensive player in the league.
The latter, who has faced criticism in the past for his lack of basketball maturity and conditioning, has attacked this season with an unseen focus and drive to dominate every game. Embiid is no longer content with being stuck on the 3-point line on offense or only dominating in spurts. Instead, this season we have seen Joel Embiid hell bent on punishing opponents inside, forcing his way to the foul line, and cashing in from three when needed. Combined with his unwavering defensive excellence, Embiid is playing the best basketball of his career and has vaulted himself into the lead in the race for MVP. This MVP form was on full display last night as he absolutely terrorized two-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and the league leading Utah Jazz — holding him to just 12 points and 9 rebounds. Embiid however, finished with 40 points and 19 rebounds in a performance punctuated by a step back 3 from the 7’2 center to send the game into overtime in which the Sixers ultimately won. Embiid has always had the talent to be the best player in the league but he has now combined that talent with a maturity that has cemented himself as this year’s MVP.
Due to the play of their two superstars, the Sixers are on the cusp of a truly historic season. Never before have a pair of teammates won the MVP and DPOY in the same season. Pair that with a 20ppg scorer in Tobias Harris, a championship coach in Doc Rivers, and a supporting cast clicking on all cylinders and the Sixers are all but guaranteed a finals berth right? I’m not so sure. Will Joel Embiid’s dominance inside be enough to offset the historic offensive firepower currently enjoyed by the Brooklyn Nets? Is Ben Simmons’ defense enough to shut down two time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in a 7 game series? Even if they manage to reach the finals, will Philly’s dynamic duo be enough to potentially stop LeBron James and Anthony Davis? Only time will tell, but if history is any indicator then it’s not likely. But this season has been about proving everyone wrong. Long gone are the trade rumors and calls to break up these two superstars, as they have shown they are more than capable of dominating on both ends of the floor. Together. If Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons can keep the same focus and intensity after the All-Star break and into the postseason, not only will they finish as this year’s MVP and DPOY, but possibly as the first to bring this city a championship in almost 40 years.